Former England and Manchester United footballer David Beckham has been mocked as "thick as bat****" by New Zealand's prime minister.

John Key told pupils at a school in Dunedin that his own son met the footballing superstar when the Los Angeles Galaxy team played an exhibition match in Auckland and was less than impressed with his intellect, according to Radio New Zealand.

The prime minister did, however, acknowledge that the world's richest footballer was handsome and kind to have spent 45 minutes with his son.

Beckham travelled to New Zealand for the game against an Oceania All Stars Team - an event which cost Auckland about £900,000 to stage.

The prime minister's office has refused to comment further on Mr Key's comments, according to local media.

Beckham is not exactly famed for his wisdom and has previously been lampooned for his remarks.

He once told an interviewer: "My parents have been there for me, ever since I was about seven."

On another occasion, after being asked whether he was a volatile player, he replied: "Well, I can play in the centre, on the right and occasionally on the left side"

And when speaking about the birth of his first child, he said: "I remember so clearly us going into hospital so Victoria could have Brooklyn. I was eating a Lion bar at the time."